Campton Hills joins the crowd, bans video gambling

The village of Campton Hills has set aside a potential referendum and joined a growing list of communities banning video gambling.

Village President Patsy Smith said board members had several concerns with legislation enacted over the summer to expand gambling to help fund a $31 million capitol spending bill in Illinois.

"Some had moral objections, others didn't believe the economic benefit to the village warranted it," she said. "Also, the state hasn't come out with any rules on it yet. (A ban) just seemed like the conservative thing to do."

In August, Campton Hills officials considered soliciting feedback on video gambling through an advisory referendum, but Smith said the deadline to do so came and went without action. Last week the board voted 5-1 to enact a ban.

Trustee John Strauss, who cast the lone dissenting vote, said he simply "can't see much harm" coming from video gaming, especially with just one business in town that would be eligible to have machines under the new legislation.

"It appears to me as though we're banning something that's not a threat," Strauss said. "It's unnecessary. We ought to be spending time on things that are real important. Having a little fun in bars isn't a major concern of mine."

Niko's Lodge Restaurant in Campton Hills is believed to be the only local establishment that would qualify for the gambling expansion. A man who answered the phone at Niko's last Friday and would only identify himself as a manager there said the restaurant was happy with the village's decision.

"Good," he said. "We're against it. It's a bad image."

In enacting a ban, Campton Hills joins numerous suburban communities whose elected officials have taken a thanks-but-no-thanks approach. Lake, Cook and DuPage counties, as well as municipalities such as Batavia, Elburn and West Chicago, also have banned video gambling. Kane County put a ban in place as well, but officials say they will reconsider it early next year.

"The board just felt this is what our residents would want," Smith said. "Plus, the reality is, you can always lift the ban."